Best Personal Loans in Ireland November 2024
Personal loans are borrowed funds with a promise to pay back with interest at some point in the future. Personal loans are one of the core banking services offered in Ireland. Taking out a personal loan plays a huge part in managing your personal finance. This is because depending of what you use it for, borrowing can play an important role in helping you reach your financial goals. Some examples of personal loans are car loans, student loans, home improvement loans and green loans. Personal loans can also be taken to meet immediate cash flow needs instead of making a decision to sell an investment. Before making a decision to take out a loan, ensure that you know the key features and terms of your loan and you are happy with it. You can seek financial advise from a professional who will review your personal circumstances, your borrowing needs and suitability to take out a loan.
Best Personal Loan Rates
Personal loans allow you to borrow a lump sump to consolidate all your debts or to make a large expense.
Interesting Reads
- Top Personal Loan Lenders in UK
- Best Personal Loans in Ireland
- Best Debt Consolidation Loans
- Best Home Improvement Loans
- Best Student Loans
- Best Personal Loan for Bad Credit
- Best Lenders For Instant Loan Decision
Best Personal Loans
Revolut Personal Loan
Pros
- Same day funding
- Great alternative to traditional bank
- Able to change repayment dates and make overpayments
- You can apply for more than one loan at a time.
- Deposit guarantee of €100,000
Cons
- Need to have an account with Revolut before your apply.
- Personal loan details unclear on the website
- Excellent credit history is required
- Need to download an app to apply for loan
- There is a waiting list before you can apply
Loan Amount
€2000 – €30000
APR
5.99%
Term Length
Over 3 Years
Fees
No fees or surcharges
- You will need to show proof of 3 months of salary income if it is not paid into your revolut account directly.
- Interest rates at the point of loan approval depending on the size of the loan, term of the loan and your credit profile.
- Available to only residents of Republic of Ireland over 18
- Get immediate online loan decisions.
- Link your personal bank account to Revolut to get a personalised prices and offers.
- Ensure to meet your payments every month but Revolut do not charge late payment fees or surcharges if you miss your payments. However making late payment may affect your credit and your ability to get credit in future.
Avant Personal Loan
Pros
- Flexible loan amount and terms.
- High loan maximum amounts of up to €75,000
- No early repayment fees
- Repayment amount will not change throughout the term.
- You can include income from another household member with their consent
- Able to apply for a loan even if you are not an existing customer
Cons
- Incur €10 each time you miss your scheduled payment.
- Loan application process can sometimes be slow.
- Approved online decision does not mean you will receive the loan
- Time to receive loan varies and can take up to 1 week
Loan Amount
€5000 – €75000
APR
7.1% – 17.1% depending on loan amount
Term Length
1 – 10 Years
Fees
Late fees €10
- Lending criteria depends on credit history, repayment capacity and financial status
- Personal loans are available to residents of the Republic of Ireland over the age of 18 and are subject to repayment capacity and financial status.
- Proof of income and a credit reference agency search is required to process application
- 10year loans available to applications over €20,000
- Loan rates are dependent on loan amount.
- You can pick a repayment schedule.
- Minimum income to apply not specified
- Avant Money formally MBNA is one of Ireland’s leading market leader in credit products.
- Their parent company is Bankinter – one of the 5 largest banks in Spain.
- They offer personal loans, credit cards, mortgages, home improvements and refinance loans.
Bank of Ireland Personal Loan
Pros
- Option to defer payment for the first 3 months
- You don’t have to hold any savings against your loan
- Broad loan range amount from €2, 000 of up to €65,000
Cons
- Maximum repayment term of 5 years
- Repayment amount may change during the loan period.
Loan Amount
€2000 – €65000
APR
6.8% – 8.5% variable
Term Length
1 – 5 years
Fees
Min. of €2.94 or 1% of arrears. Other surcharges and interest applies
- No hidden fees
- Subject to credit assessment
- Up to 30 days to drawdown approved loan
- Interest rate is 6.8% – 8.5%
- Apply online, over the phone or in branch
- Flexible term for personal loans to suit your needs
- One of Ireland’s biggest and reliable traditional banks.
An Post Money Personal Loan
Pros
- No hidden fees, set up fees and early repayment charges.
- Large Maximum loan amount of €75,000
- You can include income from another household member with their consent.
- Low fixed rates
Cons
- You will incur a €10 fee for late loan repayments
- High minimum loan amount of €5,000
Loan Amount
€5,000 – €75,000
APR
7.5%
Term Length
1 – 10 Years
Fees
Late fees €10
- An Post Money is a credit intermediary of Avant Money DAC.
- You will need to upload a proof ID, address, PPS number and Income to their document centre.
- Approval in principle before full loan application
Very similar application process like Avant Money.
AIB Personal Loan
Pros
- Loan repayment holiday
- No early repayment fees
- Money direct to bank account on approval
- Personal loan fact sheet
Cons
- Must be an existing AIB customer
- Security may be required
- Interest rates are variable and can change during the term of the loan
Loan Amount
€1,000 – €30,000
APR
8.95% variable
Term Length
1 – 5 Years
Fees
Fees may apply
- Decision within 3 hours
- Lending criteria, terms and conditions apply.
- Personal loans are only available to over 18s. Subject to approval.
- Security may be required.
- View Personal Loan Fact Sheet
- Disclaimer: If you do not meet the repayments on your loan, your account will go into arrears. This may affect your credit rating, which may limit your ability to access credit in the future.
Allied Irish Bank is one of Irelands biggest bank and a top lender.
They offer a variety of personal loans up to €50.000 with a flexible repayment terms.
Permanent TSB Personal Loan
Pros
- Loan application in minutes and same day funding
- Minimum 6 months repayment and a low borrowing amount of €1,500
Cons
- One of the highest interest rates in ireland
- Online loan application only available to Permanent TSB bank current account holders
- Salary must be paid into your account with PTSB
- Rates are not fixed and repayments can change during the term of the loan
Loan Amount
€1,500 – €75,000
APR
12.5% variable
Term Length
1 year – 5 Years
Fees
Late Fees: Min €1.25 or 1% of arrears
- Approval in minutes for loan applications up to €25,000. For over €25,000 up to €75,000 will need to be discussed with one team advisor before approval
- All applications are subject to full credit assessment.
- Compared to other lenders, Permanent TSB offers a smaller amount of money €1500 to cover emergencies
- You have an option to pay off your loans within 6 months if you wish.
- They also offer flexible Save and Borrow personal loan if you have savings with the bank
Credit Union Personal Loan
Pros
- Low income earners and people on social welfare can apply for a loan.
- Flexible repayment – weekly, fortnightly and monthly
- No early repayment fees or penalties
- Free loan protection insurance subject to criteria
- Can apply online, in branch, on the phone or via app
- No savings history required
- Potential interest rebate
Cons
- Credit union set their loan rates at local level
- Decisions are made manually by an experienced loan officer
- Can only apply for loan in the credit union in the county you reside in
Loan Amount
€500 – €50,000
APR
12.86%
Term Length
1 – 10 Years
Fees
No fees
- Each credit union have their own loan rates, terms and approval process
- Loans available for residents in a community, decisions taken at local level
- Straightforward and easy application and no sneaky condition
- Loan comes in with built in insurance at no cost to you.
Rating Methodology
We analysed these personal loans across 5 categories
- APR (25%): Interest rates – fixed or variable.
- Loan terms (20%): Minimum and maximum amount and length of loan
- Eligibility/ Income Requirement (25%):
- Fees (2o%): such as late payment fees
- Additional Features (10%): such as insurance protection
Each criteria is weighted based and rated between 0-5.
What is a Personal Loan?
Personal Loans are usually unsecured loans, which means they only require your promise to pay. Unlike credit cards, you pay back lump sum amount until the personal loan balance amount reaches to zero. As there is no collateral back up, the lender bears more risks which is why these loans come with high interest rates than secured loans such as Mortgages. Generally these types of loans are used for debt consolidation or for large purchase payment. We will consider top personal loans in Ireland, their rates, features, benefits and other information that will help you make the right personal loan choice for you. Understanding the terms of your loan will make you less exposed to making the wrong choice and avoiding bankruptcy.
When personal loan is a good idea
- When the cost of the loan is less than the alternative
- Your budget can afford to pay back on time and on schedule
- Refinance a high interest credit card or debts
- Consolidate high interest debts into a single loan
When personal loan is "not" a good idea
- Replacement for savings
- Spending on non-essentials
- Pay medical bills
When You Can Apply for a Personal Loans
It is always best to check with your lender what they can offer their personal loans for. Personal loans can be used for several reasons. Some lenders will ask you for the reason for taking out a personal loan and if your reasons falls outside their limit they will let you know and may tell you which loans they would match your request. For example some lenders will not offer personal loans for tuition cost because they offer tuition loans separately. Some common uses (not exhaustive) for personal loans :
- Debt Consolidation: This is a very common reason for taking out a personal loan. To pay off high-interest debts such as credit cards and repay the loan with one monthly payment, often at a lower interest rate.
- Major life events such as wedding
- Unexpected emergencies or expenses
How Personal Loans Work?
There are 7 key elements of a personal loan
How much you want to borrow – the amount you get approved for personal loan depends on your credit score or history, income and what you need the loan for. Use the personal loan calculator to check your affordability.
What you want to use the loan for : Decide what you need the loan for, if it is secured against an asset or unsecured. These details will determine if you will get the loan. Read more on What personal loans can be used for.
How you repay back the money: Repayment are usually fixed minimum amounts and can be paid weekly or monthly. Your repayment schedule will include amount of the loan and the interest accrued over the repayment period. If you have existing debts, loans and credit cards, you can consolidate the debts to make one set of repayments monthly. Explore how to manage your personal loan payments.
How long you want the loan for: You can spread your payments up to 10 years but take note that the longer you take out the loan the more interest you will pay.
Fees and Charges: This is an important part of what to check before you apply for a loan. It can include Administration fee, Late repayment fee and Early repayment charge. It is important to review you loan terms and conditions and check out the fees that you can incur.
Interest Rate: Depending on your credit history, the loan amount and loan term, the interest rate you get on the loan may differ from what is advertised. Personal loan interest rate can be high so be sure to confirm the interest rate approved for your loan. Read more on when personal loan interest rate can change.
Default Risk: Before taking out a personal loan for a long term, ask yourself if you will comfortably meet up with your repayments for the length of time. In an unforseen change in financial situation, for example if you loose your job, will you be able to continue meeting your repayment agreement. Default on personal loans has a huge impact on your credit score and your ability to borrow money in the future. See how personal loan can affect your credit score.
Types of Personal Loans - Is Personal Loan Secured or Unsecured?
Secured loans are debts that are guaranteed against assets such as a house as a collateral. They typically offer lower interest rates and are large amounts. Examples are mortgage loans, home loans. Defaults in these types of loans puts the asset at rick of repossession. Some personal loans can be secured against a savings account, good example is Permanent TSB cash secure loans. When you have built up savings over years, you are able to borrow money based on these savings.
Unsecured loans, unlike secured loans and are not tied against any asset. The loans are approved based on your creditworthiness alone. Personal loans are usually unsecured. Interest rates on unsecured loans are higher than interest rates for unsecured loans but they are much lower than credit cards or overdraft. Actual interest rate you get, depends on personal situation and your credit score. So check that you have a good credit score before you apply for an unsecure personal loan.
Joint loans can be secured or unsecured. You take out a loan with a partner, friend or relative. You can take out a personal loan or mortgage loan in a joint capacity. However, taking out a joint loan is a serious commitment. It means that regardless of the circumstances, you are both liable for the debt. Ensure you are aware of its implication and the effect that a default of the loan can have on your credit profile.
Guarantor loans are loans that allow consumers with no credit history or with a bad credit to get a loan based on the backing of a guarantor. An example of a guarantor loan is when a parent guarantees the loan for their child. There are 3 parties to this loan, the lender, the borrower and the guarantor. The guarantor is legally obliged to repay the loan if the lender default in the loan. See our guide to guarantor loans.
Credit Union loans are provided to credit union members who share a common bond such as living or working in the same area. Credit union is an independent, not for profit organisation and to be able to get a loan from a credit union, you have to become a member. The loans provided by credit union are the pool of funds from savings of members. Credit union loans are normally flexible and affordable. Click here to learn mor about credit union and credit union loans.
Payday loans are loans offered on the high street or online. They are short term loans usually 30 days and are usually for small amounts based on your monthly income. These types of loans often have very huge interest rate. They are easy to get but you have to make sure that you are aware of the terms of the loan. Please exercise caution and ensure that you shop around and compare the total cost of borrowing a small amount over a short period. There are various consequences for not paying back these loans and make sure that you are aware of what happens when you do not pay back.
Peer-to-peer loans are provided by platforms that bring borrowers and savers together with an agreed rates of interest. This is an alternative to a traditional personal loan where you are lending from financial institutions. In P2P loans, you are lending from individual that are registered on the platform that want to lend money. The downside of this types of loans is that they carry a higher interest rate and have less support from people who are unable to keep up with their payments. Click for more on P2P lending.
How to Choose a Personal Loan Lender
Making too many personal loan applications can harm your credit score negatively. it is important to do your homework before you apply. There are several things to consider before choosing a personal loan, they include:
- Loan type: Decide the type of personal loan your want and if its secured or unsecured
- Loan eligibility requirements: Know Your Credit Score and History because some lenders have specific credit score and income requirements. Before you apply for a loan, check the central credit register to see you credit histoory and ensure it is accurate and up to date before applying.
- Loan terms: Your loan term is the amount of time you’ll have to repay your loan, which can impact your monthly payment. The right lender for you will offer loan terms that work with your financial goals and budget. Use our Personal loan calculator to work out your possible repayment and find out how it can impact your budget. Some lenders offer longer repayment periods than others. Make sure any lender you consider offers a repayment term that works with your needs and budget. Also some lenders sets minimum and maximum borrowing amounts, which can vary. Check that you’re able to borrow the amount you need from the lender before applying for a loan.
- Cost of borrowing: APR is the best way to compare how much lenders will charge you to borrow money. The APR includes both the interest rate and fees if the lender charges an initial fee. Comparison of APR is crucial because the interest rate alone could be lower with one lender relative to another. Determine if personal loan is the best option for you. Sometimes personal loan rates can be higher than other alternatives for example 0% APR Credit Card.
- Fees: Review the fees and charges and compare with other loan offers from different lenders. Check if there is a penalty for early repayment.
- Time to receive loan: If you need money quickly, the time to you will receive the personal loan into your account is an important factor. Some lenders provide funds the same day your application is approved, while others might take up to a week or more to disburse loan funds.
- Reputation and customer service: You should research lenders’ reputations, including their customer service quality, to ensure that you choose a lender that works to meet your needs.
Personal Loans Compared to other Types of Loans
How to qualify for a personal loan
Lenders will look at a different factors to determine your suitability for a personal loan. Fortunately, you may still get a personal loan with bad credit, as some non traditional lenders will not rely on only your credit score to offer you a loan. .
Credit score: Lenders consider your credit score to determine their risk in lending you money. Usually, the higher your credit score, the higher your chances of getting a personal loan
Income: You will be asked to show proof of your income with pay slips or bank statements to confirm you have steady job and enough income to repay a personal loan.
Debt-to-income ratio: Your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) is the total amount of your minimum monthly debt payments divided by your pre-tax monthly income. Lenders usually prefer a debt-to-income ratio of less than 35%.
How to Apply For a Personal Loan and Required Documents?
- Start building your credit history before you apply for a loan and before you apply check your credit report to see where you stand. If your credit score is fair or lower, know that you may not receive the best loan terms, and you may have a harder time qualifying. Work on improving your credit score before applying for a loan, if possible.
- Check your credit report and clean up any errors and make necessary updates
- Compare personal loan rates online
- Review the required personal loan documents for each lenders to see if you can provide them. Standard documents required are : Government Issued Identification such as Internal passport and Drivers licence., Proof of address: Such as utility bill and Proof of Income: Pay slip, bank statement or tax returns.
- Use lenders that have an approval in principle or a prequalification with a soft credit check. Take some time to compare lenders by looking for ones that fit your personal criteria. If you have a low credit score, find lenders that offer personal loans for bad credit. Many lenders let you prequalify for a loan online in just a few minutes, which can be a great way to compare rates and terms between lenders. Prequalification doesn’t hurt your credit.
- Finally review loan terms and sign the loan agreement: After your application is processed, you’ll receive the final loan terms if approved. Carefully review the terms and make sure you agree with the loan amount, monthly payment, payment dates, fees, and other important information
If you’re interested in applying for a personal loan, here’s how to get started:
Personal loan alternatives
A personal loan may not the best option for everyone. There are alternatives to a personal loan, it will be good to consider these alternatives to be sure it’s the best option for you:
- Home equity release loan or mortgage top-up: This type of loans lets you borrow against the equity in your home and pay a fixed interest rate that may be lower than what you’re currently paying. Home equity loans have upfront fees, and you must use your home as collateral, which can make this borrowing option more of a risk if you default on the loan.
- Revolving credit: This loan works like a personal line of credit that you can access from time to time to draw funds as needed. It’s similar to a credit card or overdraft — generally unsecured, whereby you can borrow up to a credit limit on a continuous basis but with no annual charge. Interest is charged only on the outstanding loan balance and not the and entire credit limit. Your monthly payment decreases your balance and increases your available funds. Tipperary credit union is currently offering this facility
- 0% APR credit card: If you have good credit, a 0% APR credit card can be a good alternative to a personal loan. Since the 0% APR period may only last several months before adjusting to the card’s regular interest rate, it’s crucial to pay off the entire amount within that time.
- Buy Now Pay Later: This option is best for consumer purchases that you can afford to pay off over 3 – 6 months payment. Examples of BNPL services are Humm and Klarna
Frequently Asked Questions
Lynda Unogu MBA IMC (CFA UK) PMP
Lynda holds an MBA from University College Dublin and worked previously in product roles within financial services and technology firms like Mastercard, Citi Bank and JP Morgan. She constantly seeks to apply her expertise in financial services to the field of personal finance with the goal of helping people navigate the complexities of the finance.